Print Magazine
Brussels Morning Newspaper
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
Home Europe

Former head of Catalonia to fight on against extradition

Nikola Kiš by Nikola Kiš
8 March 2021
in Europe
Former head of Catalonia to fight on against extradition
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Brussels (Brussels Morning) Carles Puigdemont, former President of the Government of Catalonia, has announced plans to keep fighting against extradition to Spain should the European Parliament strip him of immunity, the Associated Press reported on Sunday.

Puigdemont and two other Catalan separatists – Toni Comín and Clara Ponsatí – fled Spain in 2017 after a failed secession attempt, deemed illegal by Spain. In 2019, they went on to win seats in the European Parliament. 

Puigdemont’s regional government pressed forward with a referendum on Catalan independence despite being warned by Spanish courts that such a move would be unconstitutional.

On the day of the vote, hundreds of citizens were injured in the police crackdown and the referendum passed by a landslide as most unionists stayed away from the polls. 

Official elections that took place after the referendum showed Catalans to be divided over the question of secession.

The EP is scheduled to vote on a move to strip the three of their immunity as lawmakers, a proposal put forward by the parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee.

“We contemplate all scenarios, obviously even that we will lose our immunity, which is the most likely”, Puigdemont stated on Saturday, adding that “we know that would not be the end of the road”.

Plan to bring case before the ECJ

The three plan to bring their case before the European Court of Justice (ECJ), he said, stressing that “the question is whether political persecution is accepted.”

In analysing their case last month, the Committee concluded it posed no threat of political persecution.

If their immunity is stripped, Spain could pursue the extradition of the three and bring them to trial as happened to the other separatist leaders who did not flee the country and were found guilty of sedition.

Courts in Belgium, Britain and Germany have thus far rejected Spain’s calls for extradition of Puigdemont and his colleagues. Were they returned to Spain, they would be detained immediately on the basis of outstanding arrest warrants. 

“In Spain, the courts are not free of political interests”, Puigdemont maintained, noting that “the justice system is clearly biased and we are guilty from the start of any trial”.

Follow Brussels Morning
Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin

About Us

Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

More Info

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Jobs

Categories

  • Belgium News
  • Brussels
  • Culture and Society
  • Economy
  • EU Institutions
  • Commission
  • Council
  • Parliament
  • Europe
  • Features
  • Health & Fitness
  • In Depth
  • Ambassador’s Corner
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Place de la Bourse
  • Southeast Europe
  • Sustainable Perspective
  • The American Angle
  • The Macro-Economist
  • Member States
  • Opinion
  • Our pick
  • Uncategorised
  • World
  • Diplomacy
  • Middle East Eye
  • US Elections
  • Join Our Newsletter

    Brussels Morning Newspaper – All Rights Reserved © 2020

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Brussels Bubble
      • Parliament
      • Commission
      • Council
    • Wider Europe
      • Member States
    • World
    • Business & Society
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Culture & Society
    • Policy Talks
      • Place de la Bourse
      • The Macro-Economist
      • Sustainable Perspective
      • Ambassador’s Corner
      • The American Angle
      • Southeast Europe
    • Print Magazine

    Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT